Is America counter-punching in a long-running trade war, or shooting itself in the foot? Economist E.J. Antoni, Unleashed Prosperity Senior Fellow and Heritage Foundation economist, joins Maggie Lake to dissect the White House’s tariff rollout, trade strategy, and the Fed’s credibility crisis. Antoni warns that a botched tariff formula is rattling allies and markets, even if the long-term goals may be sound. In this must-watch conversation, Antoni explains why: - The U.S. isn’t starting a trade war, it’s finally fighting back - A flawed rollout is sowing confusion among trading partners - Tariffs may sting now but could revive U.S. manufacturing - Deregulation and tax reform (not tariffs) will move the economic needle most - The Fed’s mixed signals have shattered market confidence - Runaway spending could spark a bond-market revolt and send gold even higher Chapters: 0:19 - Economic Outlook: How Fragile Is the U.S. Recovery? 2:40 - Tariff Slip-Up: Why Was the Rollout Botched? 6:05 - Did the Blunder Weaken America’s Bargaining Power? 8:39 - Negotiations in Limbo: What’s Stalling the Talks? 10:38 - Are Deals with China’s Rivals Enough for Markets? 13:07 - Strategy vs. Execution: Is the Trade Plan Sound? 19:04 - Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain? 22:41 - Will Consumers Feel an Inflation Shock? 24:43 - No Alternatives: Could Tariffs Empty Store Shelves? 27:05 - Reshoring Reality: Can Manufacturing Boom Again? 31:55 - Unions or Right-to-Work: Which Model Wins? 33:50 - Will Young Workers Fill Factory Floors? 38:27 - Rebalancing: Do Equities Sacrifice Returns? 39:51 - Robots, AI and the Future of Tariffs 42:33 - Fed in a Bind: Cut Rates or Stand Pat? 44:35 - Can the Fed Be Reformed? 47:12 - Fiscal Cliff: How Dangerous Are Deficits Now? 48:53 - Where Can Washington Actually Cut Spending? 52:51 - Balanced Budget Without Market Chaos? 55:13 - Are Tariffs Distracting from Tax Reform? 56:03 - Could the Trade War Escalate into a Capital War? He also outlines how the next few months could reshape global trade, and why gold might be the only safe bet left. Volatility got you concerned? Get a free portfolio review with Wealthion’s endorsed financial advisors at https://bit.ly/3YB5OEm Hard Assets Alliance - The Best Way to Invest in Gold and Silver: https://www.hardassetsalliance.com/?aff=WTH Connect with us online: Website: https://www.wealthion.com X: https://www.x.com/wealthion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wealthionofficial/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealthion/ #Wealthion #Wealth #Finance #Investing #TradeWar #Tariffs #Gold #FederalReserve #USEconomy #GlobalMarkets #EconomicPolicy #Inflation #MarketVolatility #Manufacturing ________________________________________________________________________ IMPORTANT NOTE: The information, opinions, and insights expressed by our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of Wealthion. They are intended to provide a diverse perspective on the economy, investing, and other relevant topics to enrich your understanding of these complex fields. While we value and appreciate the insights shared by our esteemed guests, they are to be viewed as personal opinions and not as investment advice or recommendations from Wealthion. These opinions should not replace your own due diligence or the advice of a professional financial advisor. We strongly encourage all of our audience members to seek out the guidance of a financial advisor who can provide advice based on your individual circumstances and financial goals. Wealthion has a distinguished network of advisors who are available to guide you on your financial journey. However, should you choose to seek guidance elsewhere, we respect and support your decision to do so. The world of finance and investment is intricate and diverse. It's our mission at Wealthion to provide you with a variety of insights and perspectives to help you navigate it more effectively. We thank you for your understanding and your trust.